Visually pleasing composition:

• Meaningful contrast between screen elements.

• Create groupings. E.g. Birth date grouping in a form.

• Align screen elements properly. E.g. screen elements on web page. Screen based elements are textbox, radio buttons, checkboxes etc.

• Provide 3D representations.

• Use colors and graphics effectively and simply. E.g. flipkart web page.

Comprehensibility:

Application should answer following questions:

• What to do?

• What to look at?

• When to do it?

• Where to do it

• Why to do it?

• How to do it?

System must be easy to understand and learn.

• E.g. if you want to search phone.

The flow of actions, responses, information should be in sensible order so that it is easy to recollect.

Consistency:

• Application should have an appropriate level of consistency. E.g. All pages same format.

• The position of standard elements should not change.

• Commands & Menus should have same format. E.g. ctrl+p, ctrl+s.

• Key shortcuts should be consistent across the system.

• If past application or similar type of application have created shortcuts. Do not make changes unless there is a compelling reason to do it.

E.g. web pages of any online shopping website like flipkart, consistent for all the products and for all pages.

Recoverability:

• User should be able to recover from errors.

• Help user in recognizing and recovering from errors. E.g. adding product to chart, deleting product. In short, Undo action must be provide. (ctrl+z)

• Application should permit commands or actions to be reversed. E.g. Adding or removing item from cart.

• Commands or actions to be reversed.

• Prevent errors from occurring wherever possible.

• When an error does occur, provide constructive messages. E.g. incorrect debit card number enter error.

• Ensure that user never looses their work due to any technical error or H/W S/W problems.

User Guidance:

• Meaningful feedback/help should be provided.

• Help and documentation should be given.

• On-line manuals should be provided.

• System must be useful in supporting the completion of required objectives faster and in more efficient manner.

E.g. f1 for help in MS products, documentation provided in mobile phones, description of each option in settings icon in phone.

User Diversity:

• Application should also consider people with disabilities such as visual problem, hearing problem.

E.g. some users have seeing difficulties, so larger text should be available.

E.g. Railways system.

Simplicity:

• Provide as simple interface as possible.

• Provide common and necessary functions first.

• Prominently feature important functions. E.g. RAM function

• Hide less frequently used functions. E.g. Non popular brands.

• Minimal surprise: if a command operates in known way, the user should be able to predict the operation of comparable commands.

• Permit easy personalization of UI.

• Encourage user in understanding the system.

• It leads to higher user satisfaction.

Flexibility:

• The user shall be able to enter or exit with little or no effort. E.g. log in and log out options should be visible.

• Provide for flexible interaction, same action through keyboard commands, mouse movements or voice recognition.

• The user shall be able to determine where he has come from and what alternate exist for a transition to a new task. E.g. Electronic ---> Mobiles ---> Brands ---> Display mobiles

• Permit the user to focus on its task, without concern for technical details of the interface. Workings of inside system should be invisible to user.

Responsiveness:

• The system must rapidly respond to users request.

• Provide proper feedback.

• Unexpected/slow/long download computer response time may also lead to frustration and Boredom.

• A bored person is also likely to make performance errors.

• Feedback may be visual, change in shape of mouse pointer, textual feedback. E.g. eject pen drive message.

• Feedback can also be provided through sound. E.g. Pen drive attached to system, windows startup and shutdown sound, response of clicking icons on phone.

Clarity:

• Visually and conceptually clear UI.

• Clear visual elements and functions.

• Provide distinctive and recognizable screen elements.

• Clear words and text.

• Text words should be simple and free of jargon.

E.g. Roll over to zoom.

Safety:

• User must be guarded from making mistakes.

• Hints and reminders must be provided to make users aware from making errors.

Directness:

• Task should be performed directly.

• Available alternatives should be visible to the user.

• The best way to accomplish directness can be done by direct manipulation.

• The effect of actions on objects should be visible.

• Select an object, select an action to be performed, then see the action being performed.

Efficiency:

• Minimize eye and hand movements.

• Navigation path should be as short as possible.

• Eye movement through a screen should be obvious and sequential.